Any Mustang enthusiast is likely to have both fond and not so fond memories of previous generation Mustangs when a four-cylinder engine option was available. That anemic four-cylinder that hid under the hood of so many Fox body Mustangs over the years was enough to make enthusiasts cry.

However, Ford has made no apologies for moving the “global” 2015 Mustang to a new platform that will offer more efficient engines across the board -- the all-new Mustang will also ditch the live rear axle in favor of an independent rear suspension. We know that the muscular 5.0-liter V8 engine will soldier on in the United States. In addition, rumors continue to swirl that there will be an EcoBoost V-6 engine option available.

2013 Mustang GT

Word has now surfaced that while Europeans will be able to purchase the 2015 Ford Mustang with a turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. While Edmunds doesn't specify this fact, on a recent episode of the hit UK television show Top Gear the hosts said that only the four-cylinder engine would be available for European buyers.

Edmunds reports that the four-cylinder that will be under the hood of the Mustang in Europe will be based on the 2.0-liter engine featured in the 2013 Focus ST. In the Focus ST, the turbocharged four-cylinder produced 252 hp. In the Mustang, the 2.3-liter engine will produce around 300 hp according to company insiders.

Ford has remained quiet on pricing for the Mustang in Europe and the vehicle is expected to be a low-volume specialty car within Europe.

quote: However you still have the mechanical friction of 4 more cylinders dragging down fuel econ.

Very correct. Even displacement on demand will require a bit of energy from friction. A V8 or V12 can never be as efficient as a 4 or 6 cyl engine. There will be extra pumping work and rotational inertia to deal with.

quote: Plus the weight of the engine......The weight is even more significant when Euro drivers tend to put more emphasis on handing. The big heavy lump of a V8 really screws handling when compared to a lighter 4 or 6.

Absolutely incorrect. The weight of a typical small block engine is less than most high power 4 cyl turbo designs. You have to consider the weight of the turbos and plumbing as well, not to mention that they are overly complicated.

V8s have their place for performance cars, and then complaining that a performance car doesn't get the same mileage as a Prius is ridiculous. Simply put, most V6 or I6 will never be able to get the performance that a typical V8 will.